The works of Nathaniel Lardner - The Christian Researcher - Home

60
Credibility of the Gospel History.
do not neglect to discharge some part of my office, whilst I
endeavour, especially by daily tracts upon the gospels, to
make some improv ements and increases of your faith and
knowledge of the Lord : for what more viseful service is
there in the church of the Lord ? What is there more becoming
the office of a bishop than, by instructions from the divine
words of the Lord himself, to lead the faithful to the enjoyment
of the promised kingdom of heaven ? This is my con-
stant and daily labour and desire, though absent from you :
and after my accustomed manner I endeavour to be present
with you by the discourses I send you, that, being built on
the firm foundation of the gospel, ye may always " stand
armed against all the wiles of the devil:"' Eph. vi. 11.
And presently afterwards ;
' For this purpose we not only
allege words from the sacred fountains of the scriptures, but
with the words themselves we join our prayers to the Lord,
that he will open both to us and you the treasures of his
mysteries, and enable us to act according to our knowledge
for great will be his misery, " who knew the Lord's will, and
neglected to do it :" ' Luke xii. 47.
7. He concludes with recommending- the study of the
scriptures; ' I' have said a few things only, because it is
not my design to write a volume, but to send you a discourse
[or homily]. Do you look into the scriptures, and improve
yourselves by the precepts there delivered, relating' to the
virtue I have been recommending- to you. My dearest
brethren, farewell.'
8. 1 think we may consider
;
this as an example of the
homilies of the time in which this bishop lived : but it would
be an additional pleasure to know more exactly the time
itself, and the place of his ordinary residence.
IV. The third piece, sometunes ascribed to St. Cyprian,
but now generally"" discarded by learned men as unworthy
of that great name, is entitled. Of" the praise of martyrdom.
muneris, quotidianum votivum negotium, absens licet, obtinere connitor, et per
literas praesentiam meam vobis reddere conor. Dum vos solito more allocu-
tionibits missis in fide interpello, ideo conveuio, ut evangelicse radicis firmilate
Eolidati, adversus omnia diaboli proelia stetis semper armati.—Non solum pro-
ferimas verba, quae de scriptumrum sacris fontibus veniunt, sed et cum ipsis
verbis preces ad Dominum et vota sociamus, ut tarn nobis quam vobis et sacramentorum
suorum thesauros aperiat, et vires ad implenda, quae cognoscimus
tnbuat. Periculum enim majus est voluntatem Domini cognovisfe, et in Dei
voluntatis opere cessasse. p. 5. a. ' Ego pauca dictavi, quoniam
non est propositum volumen scribere, sed allocutionem transmittere. Vos
scripturas aspicite, exempla vobis de ipsis prseceptis hujus rei majora conqui-
rite. Fratres carissimi, bene valete. p. 8. b. '" Vid. I'agi Crit. in
Baron. 251. n. xv. Basnag. Ann. 258. n. xv. " Liber De Laud©
Martyrii.
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